Quick-exchange battery assembly, and motor vehicle, in particular motor scooter

ABSTRACT

Battery assemblies are disclosed. In one embodiment, a battery assembly includes a rechargeable battery having a housing and a circuit formed in the housing. A releasable mechanical lock may connect the battery housing to a unit which is to be supplied with electrical. An actuating element may be folded, pivoted, and/or telescopically pulled out of the battery housing.

This application is a national stage filing under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2016/057500, filed on Apr. 6, 2016, which claims priority to German Application No. 10 2015 105 330.6, filed on Apr. 8, 2015. Each of these applications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present disclosure relates to a battery assembly, in particular for an electrically driven motor vehicle, in particular a motorcycle, such as a motor scooter, according to claim 1. The present disclosure also relates to an electrically driven motor vehicle, in particular a motorcycle, such as a motor scooter, comprising at least one battery assembly according to claim 16.

Motorcycles or motor scooters equipped with electric drives are known. By way of example only, reference is made to EP 1 857 314 A2. Corresponding electrically driven motorcycles or motor scooters typically have a body and at least two wheels, wherein one of the wheels is driven by an electrical drive powered by a battery. Much more time is required for charging a battery than for the filling of motor vehicles powered by an internal combustion engine. In this respect, the charging of a rechargeable battery is to be effected to the highest possible extent when the electric motor vehicle is not needed for the foreseeable future. The motor vehicle/motorcycle cannot be used in this charging time of the battery.

According to some aspects, a battery assembly is provided that can be removed as simply as possible and without great expenditure of force from a motor vehicle such as a scooter, so that the motor vehicle/motor scooter can be equipped with a fully charged battery or a fully charged battery assembly. Furthermore, in some embodiments, a further developed motor vehicle is provided, such as a further developed motor scooter, which is configured in such a way that it can be easily equipped with replaceable battery assemblies.

According to some aspects, this may be achieved with regard to the battery assembly by means of the subject matter of claim 1 and with regard to an electrically drivable motor vehicle, in particular a motorcycle, such as a motor scooter, by the subject matter of claim 16.

Advantageous and expedient embodiments of the battery assembly or of an electrically drivable motor vehicle, in particular a motorcycle, such as a motor scooter according to some embodiments, are specified in the dependent claims.

In some embodiments, the above-noted advantages may be achieved by a battery assembly which is designed, in particular, for an electrically drivable motor vehicle, in particular for a motorcycle, such as for an electric motor scooter. The battery assembly comprises:

-   -   at least one, in particular rechargeable, battery;     -   at least one releasable mechanical lock for connecting the         battery housing to a unit to be supplied with electrical energy,         in particular for connection with an electric motor scooter;     -   at least one circuit formed in the battery housing; and     -   at least one actuating element which is designed such that it         can be folded and/or can be pivoted and/or can be pulled, in         particular in a telescopic manner, out of the battery housing.

According to some embodiments, it is thus possible that a battery assembly can be moved (e.g., pulled or pushed) by means of an actuating element which can be pulled out and/or folded out and/or pivoted out.

The actuating element can be designed as a lever or as a handle, in particular as a bow-type handle. The handle may have a gripping section, which can be encompassed, in particular, with the complete hand. The gripping section may extend into at least one, or two, extension section(s). The at least one extension section can be a rod-like or rail-like element. This rod-like or rail-like element is mounted in particular in or on the battery housing so that it can be folded out and/or pivoted out and/or pulled out, in particular telescopically.

In a first state of use, which corresponds to the driving state of an electrically drivable motor vehicle, in particular an electric motor scooter, the extension section may be mounted completely in the battery housing. In a further state of use, which corresponds to the state of the battery assembly detached from the motor vehicle, in particular from the motor scooter, the at least one extension section can be folded out and/or pivoted out and/or pulled out from the housing so that the actuating element is arranged in an at least partly folded out and/or pivoted out and/or pulled out state, in particular in a partially telescoped state. This is comparable to the extended handle of a suitcase or a trolley. A folded-out and/or pivoted-out and/or pulled-out, in particular telescopic, actuating element thus facilitates the handling of a battery assembly which is released from a motor scooter. The battery assembly can, for example, be pulled to a charging station by means of the actuating element. In one embodiment, the actuating element is designed as a bow-type handle.

The battery housing may comprise a front section, a rear section, two side sections connecting the front and rear sections, a cover section and a bottom section, wherein the battery housing may have an especially slide-like guide device which can be pushed or slid onto an especially rail-like guide device of the unit to be powered, in particular a motorcycle, such as a motor scooter.

In some embodiments, at least two rollers are arranged on the battery housing. These may be formed on the front section or on the transition section from the front section to the bottom section of the battery housing. With the help of at least two rollers, the battery assembly can be pulled particularly evenly. The rollers can be part of the described guide device of the battery group and/or assume this function. The rollers can thus facilitate the positioning of the battery group on the unit to be powered and can be guided during the positioning in the guide device of the unit to be powered.

The front, rear, side and cover sections can be formed in an either flat or also curved manner. In particular, at least individual connection or transition regions between the individual housing sections or sections of the battery housing can be formed in a bevelled and/or curved manner.

The in particular rail-like guide device of the unit to be powered, in particular of the motor scooter, is designed as a counterpart to the, in particular slide-like, guide device of the battery housing. The slide-like guide device of the battery housing is formed, in particular, in the bottom section of the battery housing.

It is possible for the battery housing of the battery assembly to be displaceable, in particular in the direction of travel or against the direction of travel, on the rail-like guide device of a motor scooter.

The guide device of the battery housing, which in particular has a slide-like design, may converge into a locking plate or into locking plates. The locking plate(s) may be guided or pushed or rolled on the guide device of the unit to be powered, which is designed in particular in a rail-like manner.

The unit to be powered, in particular the motor scooter, may have a centring aid. The centring aid can, for example, be designed as a triangular and/or U-like and/or V-like shaped part so that the locking plate or the locking plates is/are guided along this shaped part in order to be guided into at least one locking recess subsequently. The rollers can facilitate the mounting process. The term “shaped part” refers to an element that protrudes or stands out from a base surface. Edges of the at least one locking plate extend along the edges of the centring aid when the battery assembly is pushed onto the motor scooter.

In a further embodiment, the battery housing has, in the region of the actuating element, in particular in the rear section, an engagement recess which is designed in such a way that the actuating element can be encompassed by one hand. In the state of the battery assembly connected to the motor scooter, the gripping section of the actuating element may extend transversely to the direction of travel. The battery housing has such a recess or engagement recess that the actuating element can be pulled, in particular pulled up, in a clamping grip.

The battery assembly can have passive cooling and/or active cooling to increase the efficiency of the battery in the battery housing. The passive cooling can, for example, concern an arrangement of cooling fins. For example, the cooling fin arrangement is formed on the rear section and/or on a side section or on side sections of the battery housing.

Passive cooling can also concern at least one air inlet opening. By means of a correspondingly formed air inlet opening, ambient air can be guided into the battery housing through the at least one air inlet opening during travel with a motor scooter, wherein the heated air is able to flow through the at least one corresponding air outlet opening from the battery housing. It is possible that at least one ventilation wheel in the battery housing is located as active cooling. Active water cooling can also be formed within the battery housing. As an arrangement of cooling fins so-called cooling fin plates can be used.

The battery assembly may further comprise at least one power connector. By means of the power connector, the battery assembly is electrically connected to the unit to be electrically powered, in particular to the electric motor scooter.

In some embodiments, the battery assembly has a combined power/communication connector. With the aid of such a connector, the unit to be powered can both be supplied with electric power or receive electric power from the unit. Furthermore, a communication transmission or communication link between the battery pack and the unit to be powered can be produced by means of such a combined power/communication connector. In some embodiments, the combined power/communication connector may have a bus interface.

The combined power/communication connector may be formed for example on a side portion of the battery housing. The pins of the power/communication connector may be formed perpendicular to a bottom surface. The connection of the power/communication connector with a power/communication socket of a unit which is to be supplied with electrical power, in particular an electric motor scooter, can thus be effected by sliding the connector onto the socket.

The combined power/communication connector can be released from a combined power/communication socket of the unit to be powered by lifting up or pulling up the slide-like guide device of the battery housing along the rail-like guide device of the unit to be powered. No current may be present when the power/communication connector is disconnected from the power/communication socket. In some instances, before disconnecting the battery assembly from a motor scooter, the circuit between the motor scooter and the battery assembly is interrupted. In some embodiments, upon disconnecting the combined power/communication connector from the combined power/communication socket, no current is applied to the combined power/communication connection formed by the combined power/communication connector and combined power/communication socket.

In some embodiments, a mechanical lock of the battery assembly is formed in the bottom portion of the battery housing. The mechanical lock can, for example, be designed as a locking hook. The mechanical locks may be actuated by a locking actuating element. The locking actuating element can be, for example, a cord or a chain or a strap or a loop. By pulling on the cord or the chain or on the strap or on the loop, the mechanical lock, in particular the locking hook, can be actuated.

In some embodiments, the locking actuating element, in particular the cord or the chain or the loop or the strap, is arranged in the battery housing or inside the battery housing. A compartment is formed in the battery housing, for example, on the rear section of the battery. This compartment may be formed in a closable and/or lockable manner. By folding down or lifting off a correspondingly closable and/or lockable battery housing section, access to the compartment can be established. In some embodiments, a locking actuating element, in particular a/the cord or a/the chain or a/the strap or a/the loop, is arranged in the compartment.

At least one roller can be arranged on the battery housing, in particular on the front section side, so that the battery assembly can be rolled in the state separated from the unit to be powered with the aid of the actuating element. It is possible for the at least one roller to be formed in a retractable manner within the battery housing. The actuating element serves as a handle when rolling. The battery assembly may be designed so that it can be pulled in a trolley-like manner.

The battery assembly may also have at least one mains socket for charging the at least one battery. A mains socket is used to charge the at least one battery or to charge at least one battery assembly. A power connector can be inserted into the at least one mains socket so that the at least one battery assembly can be charged.

It is possible that in the battery housing several battery sets or battery packs are arranged. In some embodiments, at least two mains sockets are formed, which may allow faster charging of multiple battery sets.

Furthermore, the battery assembly can comprise at least one Bluetooth interface and/or at least one USB socket. It is possible for the at least one network socket and/or the at least one Bluetooth interface and/or the at least one USB socket to be formed within the possibly closable and/or lockable compartment. This allows manipulation protection so that only the owner of a key or access system to the compartment can access a USB socket and/or a mains socket and can switch on or off the at least one Bluetooth interface.

Programs can be loaded by using a USB port. It is also possible to read out a fault memory using a USB socket. Furthermore, a loudspeaker arranged within the battery assembly, in particular within the battery housing, can be controlled with the aid of a Bluetooth interface and/or with the aid of a USB socket. It is possible that audio files can be sent to the battery assembly via the Bluetooth interface and/or via the USB socket.

At least one loudspeaker can be installed in the battery housing. The loudspeaker may be a resonant loudspeaker. Advantageously, a section of the battery housing can be designed as a resonance surface.

In a further embodiment, a saddle can be formed on the battery housing, in particular on the cover-section side. A saddle of a motor scooter is consequently designed as an element of the battery assembly. The saddle may be connected to the battery housing, in particular to the cover section of the battery housing, in particular glued thereto and/or latched thereon. The saddle may be formed of a foam material.

In some embodiments, the saddle has an ergonomically advantageous shape. For example, the saddle has a V-shaped and/or U-shaped cross-sectional profile. The cross-sectional profile is visible as a longitudinal section running in the direction of travel. At least in sections, the saddle may be in the form of a hyperbolic paraboloid.

Furthermore, it is possible for the battery assembly to comprise a DC-DC converter, i.e. a direct-current-to-direct-current converter, and/or a battery charger and/or a battery control unit. In addition, the battery assembly may have an emergency stop button. The battery assembly may, for example, provide a 48V/12V voltage supply. It is possible that the 48V voltage supply is provided directly by the at least one battery pack. The 12V voltage supply can, for example, be realized with the aid of the DC-DC converter.

The charging of the battery assembly can take place via an integrated battery charger, wherein the integrated battery charger can be supplied with power via the at least one mains socket.

Because of the communication connection that can be produced with the aid of the combined power/communication connector, it is possible that data regarding the battery, e.g. the temperature of the battery and/or the charge state of the battery, can be transmitted to a control unit of the unit to be powered and/or to a display unit of the unit to be powered.

Another aspect of the current disclosure relates to an electrically driven motor vehicle, in particular an electrically driven motorcycle, in particular an electric motor scooter, comprising at least one replaceable battery assembly, in particular a battery assembly according to the present disclosure. The battery assembly may be detachably fastened or detachably secured to a rear frame part of the motorcycle, in particular of the motor scooter. In the installed state, the front portion of the battery housing faces in the direction of travel or in the direction of the front wheel of the electric motorcycle, in particular the electric motor scooter. Accordingly, the rear portion of the battery housing may face opposite the direction of travel or in the direction of the rear wheel.

The motorcycle, in particular the motor scooter, can furthermore have a guide device, in particular one formed in a rail-like manner, wherein the battery housing, after releasing one/the mechanical lock of the battery assembly, is slidable with the aid of one/the possibly slide-like guide device of the battery assembly from the guide device of the motorcycle, in particular the motor scooter, against the direction of travel. When the mechanical lock is released, the locking hook is released from the locking counterpart of the electric motorcycle, in particular the motor scooter. Subsequently, the battery assembly, in particular the battery housing, can be pushed from the frame of the electric motorcycle, in particular a motor scooter.

The electric motorcycle, in particular the electric motor scooter, may comprise a locking counterpart cooperating with the mechanical lock. The locking counterpart may include a locking bolt or a locking receptacle for a locking hook.

Advantageous and appropriate embodiments of the battery assembly or of the motorcycle, in particular of the electric motor scooter, are specified in the dependent claims.

Alternatively and/or additionally, according to some aspects, a battery assembly may be designed for an electrically drivable motor vehicle, in particular a motorcycle, such as a motor scooter. The battery assembly comprises:

-   -   at least one, in particular rechargeable, battery,     -   a battery housing in which at least the battery is arranged,     -   at least one actuating element, in particular at least one lever         or a handle,     -   at least one releasable mechanical lock for connecting the         battery housing to a unit which is to be supplied with         electrical energy, in particular for connection to an electric         motor scooter,     -   at least one circuit formed in the battery housing.

By actuating the actuating element, the mechanical lock is releasable and the circuit can be interrupted.

In other words, the mechanical lock can be released as well as the circuit interrupted by merely one actuation operation. Both the pressing of an actuating element and the pulling of an actuating element are conceivable as actuating the actuating element.

According to some embodiments, it is thus possible to unlock both the battery housing with a single handgrip in terms of mechanical locking from the unit to be powered, as well as to interrupt a circuit present within the battery housing.

The mechanical lock comprises at least one locking bolt, which can be released by actuating, in particular pulling, the actuating element out of a locking counterpart, in particular a locking counterpart with a recess, of the unit to be powered. By pulling on the actuating element, which is formed in particular as a lever or handle, a locking bolt can accordingly be pulled out of a recess of a locking counterpart of the unit to be powered so that the locking counterpart is free.

In some embodiments, the battery housing has a front plate, a rear plate, two side plates connecting the front plate and rear plate, a cover plate and a bottom section. The front, rear, side and cover plates can be formed either flat or curved. In particular, at least individual connection or transition areas can be bevelled and/or curved between the individual plates or sections of the battery housing.

Furthermore, the battery housing can have a slide-like guide device which can be pushed or slid onto a rail-like guide device of the unit to be powered. The rail-like guide device of the unit to be powered, in particular the motor scooter, thus forms the counterpart to the slide-like guide device. The slide-like guide device of the battery housing is formed, in particular, in the bottom section of the battery housing.

It is conceivable for the battery housing of the battery assembly to be displaceable on the rail-like guide device of a motor scooter, in particular in the direction of travel or against the direction of travel.

The actuating element, in particular the handle or the lever, can also be pretensioned with a spring. When actuating the actuating element, a force must be applied against the pretensioning force of the spring. As soon as the actuating element is released, the actuating element is returned to the original position due to the pretensioning force of the spring. Releasing the actuating element thus causes both the mechanical lock and the circuit to be closed again, provided that the battery housing has not been moved away from the locking counterpart of the unit to be powered.

If the battery housing has been displaced along the rail-like guide device of the unit to be powered, in particular in the direction of travel, the mechanical lock can no longer be produced. However, the circuit, which is initially interrupted within the battery housing, is closed again.

In a further embodiment, the battery housing has, in the region of the actuating element, in particular in the transition region from the front plate to the cover plate, an engagement recess which is designed in such a way that the actuating element can be encompassed by one hand. In the state of the battery assembly connected to the motor scooter, the actuating element may extend transversely to the direction of travel. The battery housing has such a recess or engagement recess that the actuating element can be pulled, in particular pulled up, in a clamping grip.

Both the rail-like guide device of the unit to be powered as well as the slide-like guide device of the battery housing can be formed in a bent manner. In some embodiments, the arc extends forwardly in the direction of travel. Such an arc has the effect that the battery housing can be pulled up comfortably after actuation of the actuating element and corresponding pulling on the actuating element.

The battery assembly can have a passive cooling and/or an active cooling to increase the efficiency of the battery in the battery housing. The passive cooling can, for example, be an arrangement of cooling fins. In some embodiments, the cooling fin arrangement is formed on the back plate and/or on the front plate of the battery housing. As active cooling, it is conceivable that at least one ventilation wheel is located in the battery housing. Active water cooling can also be formed within the battery housing. So-called cooling fin plates can be used as an arrangement of cooling fins.

The battery assembly further comprises at least one power connector. With the aid of this power connector, the battery assembly is electrically connected to the unit which is to be supplied with electrical power, in particular the electric motor scooter.

The battery assembly may have a combined power/communication connector. With the aid of such a connector, the unit to be powered can both be supplied with power or can receive power from the unit. Furthermore, by means of such a combined power/communication connector, a communication transmission or communication link can be produced between the battery assembly and the unit to be powered. In some embodiments, the combined power/communication connector has a BUS interface.

The combined power/communication connector may be formed in the bottom section of the battery housing, in particular on the front-plate end of the slide-like guide device of the battery housing.

The combined power/communication connector can be released or is releasable by pulling the slide-like guide device of the battery housing along the rail-like guide device of the unit to be powered from a combined power/communication socket of the unit to be powered. Since the circuit switched within the battery housing is interrupted when the battery assembly or the battery housing is pushed out from the rail-like guide device of the unit to be powered in a first initiating step due to actuation of the actuation element, no current is applied to the combined power/communication connection formed by the combined power/communication connector and combined power/communication socket when the combined power/communication connector is detached from the combined power/communication socket.

A roller can be arranged on the battery housing, in particular on the rear-plate end of the bottom section, so that the battery assembly can be rolled in the state separated from the unit to be supplied by means of the actuating element. In some embodiments, the arranged roller is embodied so as to be retractable within the battery housing. The actuating element serves as a handle when rolling. It can be provided that the locking of the battery assembly, in particular of the locking bolts, is designed such that it can be pulled out of the battery housing or telescoped in such a way that the battery assembly can be pulled in a trolley-like manner.

The battery assembly further comprises a mains socket for charging the at least one battery or for charging at least one battery pack, wherein the mains socket may be designed on the rear plate side. A power connector can be inserted into the mains socket so that the at least one battery pack can be charged. It is conceivable that a plurality of rechargeable battery packs or assemblies are arranged.

Furthermore, it is possible for the battery assembly to comprise a DC-DC converter, i.e. a direct-current-to-direct-current converter and/or a battery charger and/or a battery control unit. In addition, the battery assembly may have an emergency stop button. The battery assembly may, for example, provide a 48V/12V voltage supply. It is possible that the 48V voltage supply is provided directly by the at least one battery pack. The 12V voltage supply can, for example, be realized with the aid of the DC-DC converter.

The charge of the battery assembly can be carried out via an integrated battery charger, wherein the integrated battery charger can be supplied with power via the mains socket.

Because of the communication connection that can be produced with the aid of the combined power/communication connector, it is possible that data regarding the battery, e.g. the temperature of the battery and/or the charge state of the battery, are transmitted to a control unit of the unit to be powered and/or to a display unit of the unit to be powered.

According to some aspects, a motor vehicle, in particular a motorcycle, such as a motor scooter, in particular an electric motor scooter, may comprise at least one replaceable battery assembly, in particular a battery assembly.

The battery assembly may be detachably secured within a holder frame arranged between a saddle and a rear frame part of the motor vehicle, in particular a motorcycle or a motor scooter.

In the installed state, a/the front plate of the battery housing faces in the direction of travel or in the direction of the front wheel of the motor vehicle, in particular a motorcycle or a motor scooter. A/the rear plate of the battery housing accordingly faces against the direction of travel or in the direction of the rear wheel.

The motor vehicle, in particular the motorcycle or the motor scooter, can further comprise a rail-like guide device, wherein a/the battery housing can be pulled or displaced in the direction of travel by means of a slide-like guide device from the rail-like guide device after releasing a/the mechanical lock.

The motor scooter may comprise a locking counterpart with a recess which cooperates with a mechanical lock of the battery assembly. The mechanical lock of the battery assembly includes a locking bolt. The motor scooter has a locking counterpart, in particular a locking counterpart with a recess. When the mechanical lock is released, the locking bolt is pulled or pushed out of the recess of the locking counterpart so that the battery housing can then be displaced along the rail-like guide device in the direction of travel.

In some embodiments, an electric motor drive may be a CO₂-neutral drive. Due to the releasable anchoring of the battery or the battery assembly, an empty battery or an empty battery assembly can be simply replaced with a charged battery or a charged battery assembly. The charging of such a power source or such a battery or such a rechargeable battery is consequently also possible within a house. It is not necessary for the collapsible two-wheeler to be charged at a public charging station or at a power station.

Aspects of the current disclosure are described below with reference to exemplary embodiments for an electrically drivable motor scooter, which are explained in more detail with the aid of illustrations, wherein:

FIG. 1: shows an electrically driven motor scooter in a perspective view;

FIG. 2: shows the electrically driven motor scooter of FIG. 1 in a side view;

FIG. 3: shows the electrically driven motor scooter of FIGS. 1 and 2 in a top view;

FIG. 4a-4c : shows different perspective views of a battery assembly in accordance with a first embodiment;

FIG. 5: shows a transparent view of the components located in the battery housing of the battery assembly;

FIG. 6: shows rear frame part without attached battery assembly;

FIG. 7: shows a motor scooter with a built-in battery assembly according to a second exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 8a-8c : show different perspective views of a second embodiment of a battery assembly; and

FIG. 9: a transparent view of the components located in the battery housing of the battery assembly.

In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for identical and identically acting parts.

FIG. 1 shows an overall view of a scooter or electric motor scooter 10. The motor scooter 10 has a body on which a front wheel 12 and a rear wheel 12′ are rotatably mounted. Furthermore, the body comprises a steering device 30, which enables the motor scooter 10 to be steered. The front wheel 12 is located at the lower end of the steering device 30. In the rear part, in particular on the rear frame part 11, there is a battery assembly 70 as well as a battery housing 21 associated with the battery assembly 70. A saddle 20 can also be seen.

The battery assembly 70 comprises a battery housing 21 having a front portion 71, a rear portion 72, two side portions 73 connecting the front and rear portions 71 and 72, and a bottom portion 75 (see FIG. 4b ). An actuating element 80, which is designed in the form of a bow-type handle, can also be seen. The gripping section 89 is arranged transversely to the direction of travel F in the state installed in the motor scooter 10.

In order to enable the actuating element 80 to be gripped, in particular the gripping portion 89, the battery housing 21 has an engagement recess 81 in the region of the rear portion 72. This engagement recess 81 is designed such that the actuating element 80, in particular the gripping section 89, can be completely encompassed by the hand.

The battery assembly 70 is shown in FIGS. 4a to 4c . The battery housing 21 includes a front portion 71, a rear portion 72, two side portions 73 connecting the front and rear portions 71 and 72, a cover portion 74, and a bottom portion 75 (see FIG. 4b ). An actuating element 80, which is designed in the form of a bow-type handle, can also be seen. The gripping section 89 is arranged transversely to the direction of travel F in the state installed in the motor scooter 10.

In order to allow gripping of the gripping portion 89, the battery housing 21 has an engagement recess 81 in the region of the actuating element 80, namely in the rear portion 72. This engagement recess 81 is designed such that the gripping section 89 can be completely encompassed by the hand.

The battery assembly 70 has two rollers 130. These rollers 130 may be formed on the front section 71 or the transition section from the front section 71 to the bottom section 75 and to the side sections 73 of the battery housing 21. With the aid of at least two rollers 130, the battery assembly 70 can be pulled in a particularly uniform manner.

The saddle 20 is formed as a member of the battery assembly 70. The saddle 20 may be connected to the battery housing 21, in particular the cover portion 74 of the battery housing 21, in particular glued thereon and/or latched thereto. In some embodiments, the saddle 20 may be formed of a foam material.

The illustrated saddle 20 has an ergonomically advantageous shape. At least in sections, a V-shaped cross-sectional profile 180 can be seen. The cross-sectional profile 180 may include a longitudinal section extending in the direction of travel F. At least in sections, the saddle 20 can take the form of a hyperbolic paraboloid. A cross-sectional profile is likewise formed transversely with respect to the direction of travel F or parallel to the gripping section 89, wherein this cross-sectional profile is at least U-shaped in sections.

The bottom section 75 is shown in FIG. 4b . A depression 190 is formed in the bottom section 75, in which depression 190 or recess an element of a mechanical lock 91 is formed. The mechanical lock 91 concerns a locking hook. With the aid of the locking hook 91, the battery assembly 70, in particular the battery housing 21, can be connected to a motor scooter 10.

In the bottom section 75 of the battery housing 21, a guide device 85, which is in particular slide-like, is formed, which can be pushed or slid onto a, in particular rail-like, guide device 210 of the motor scooter 10 (see FIG. 6).

The guide device 85 of the battery housing 21 may converge into locking plates 140. The locking plates 140 are guided or pushed on the guide device 210 of the unit 10 to be powered.

The motor scooter 10 (see FIG. 6) may include a centring aid 220. The centring aid 220 can, for example, be designed as a V-shaped configuration so that the locking plates 140 are guided along this shaped part 220 in order subsequently to be guided into locking recesses 230. The V-shape of the centring aid 220 is formed on the motor scooter 10 in such a way that the apex of the V is directed against the direction of travel F, or in the direction of the rear end of the rear frame part 11. Edges 141 of the locking plates 140 run along the edges 221 of the centring aid 220 when the battery assembly 70 is pushed onto the motor scooter 10.

FIG. 4b also shows a combined power/communication connector 95. The motor scooter 10 can be supplied with power by means of such a connector 95. Furthermore, with the aid of such a combined power/communication connector 95, a communication transmission or communication link can be established between the battery assembly 70 and the motor scooter 10. In some embodiments, the combined power/communication connector 95 has a bus interface.

The combined power/communication connector 95 is formed in the region of the bottom portion 75 on a side portion 73 of the battery housing 21. The pins of the power/communication connector may be formed perpendicular to the bottom portion 75. The connection of the power/communication connector 95 to a power/communication socket 300 of the motor scooter 10 (see FIG. 6) can accordingly be effected by pushing the connector 95 onto the socket 300.

With regard to FIGS. 4b and 6, it is also clear that a plurality of locking recesses 160 can be formed in the battery housing 21, in particular in the bottom portion 75. These locking recesses 160 are used for latching/accommodating shaped locking parts 310 (see FIG. 6) of the frame part 11 of the motor scooter 10. Furthermore, recesses 315 can be formed on the motor scooter 10, into which the rollers 130 of the battery assembly 70 can slide.

A compartment 150 is formed in the battery housing 21 on the rear portion side. This compartment 150 is formed to be closable and/or lockable. By folding down or lifting off a correspondingly closable and/or lockable battery housing portion or cover 151, access to the compartment 150 can be established. Preferably, a/the locking/actuating element, in particular a/the cord or a/the chain and/or a/the strap and/or a/the loop, is arranged in the compartment. The mechanical lock 91, in particular a locking hook, can be actuated by means of a cord or a chain or by means of a strap or a loop.

FIG. 4c shows that the handle 80 is designed as a bow-type handle. The handle 80 has a gripping section 89, wherein the gripping section 89 converges into two rod-like or rail-like extension sections 135. These extension sections 135 are pulled out of the battery housing 21 in the illustrated state.

In the illustrated state of use, which corresponds to the state of the battery assembly 70 detached from the motor scooter 10, the extension sections 135 are pulled out of the housing 21 in such a way that the actuating element 80 is in a partially pulled-out state, in particular in a partially telescoped state. The battery assembly 70 can be easily transported with the aid of the rollers 130.

In FIG. 5, the components located in the battery housing 21 are shown in a partially transparent view (the battery housing sections not shown here).

It can be seen that the handle 80 is designed as a bow-type handle. The handle 80 has a gripping section 89, wherein the gripping section 89 converges into two rod-like or rail-like extension sections 135. These extension sections 135 are extensible, in particular telescopic, in the battery housing 21.

In a first state of use, which corresponds to the driving state of an electric motor scooter 10, the extension sections 135 may be mounted completely in the battery housing 21.

The extension sections 135 can be mounted in guide rails 136.

A loudspeaker 185 is installed in the battery housing 21. The loudspeaker 185 may be a resonance loudspeaker.

Advantageously, a section, in particular the front portion 71, of the battery housing 21 can be designed as a resonance surface. The loudspeaker 185 is installed between the battery 90 and a section, in particular the front portion 71, of the battery housing 21.

FIG. 6 shows a rear frame part 11 of a motor scooter 10. The functionality of the centring aid 220, the socket 300 and the shaped locking parts 310 has already been described above.

A part of the mechanical lock 91, which allows the battery assembly 70 to be locked with the motor scooter 10, can also be seen. A hook of the battery assembly 70 can engage into the illustrated bracket of the lock 91, so that mechanical locking is possible. By operating a cord/chain/strap/loop, the hook of the battery assembly 70 can be released from the bracket so that the mechanical lock can be released.

FIG. 7 shows the overall view of a scooter or motor scooter 10. The motor scooter 10 has a body on which a front wheel 12 and a rear wheel 12′ are rotatably mounted. Furthermore, the body comprises a steering device 30, which enables the motor scooter 10 to be steered. The front wheel 12 is located at the lower end of the steering device 30. In the rear part, in particular on the rear frame part 11, there is a battery housing 21. A saddle 20, which is arranged or formed above the battery housing 21, can also be seen.

An electric motor, whose power source is arranged within the battery housing 21, serves as the drive for the illustrated motor scooter 10. The battery housing 21 is detachably anchored within a holder frame 56 arranged between the saddle 20 and the rear frame part 11. The battery housing 21 or the battery assembly 70 can accordingly be removed from the holder frame 56.

The steering device 30 is designed in T-shaped fashion in the upper region. A display 100 is formed centrally in this upper region of the steering device 30.

The battery assembly 70 is shown in FIGS. 8a to 8c . The battery housing 21 includes a front plate 71′, a rear plate 72′, two side plates 73′ connecting the front and rear plates 71′ and 72′, a cover plate 74′, and a bottom portion 75. Also shown is an actuating member 80, which is designed in form of a handle. The handle 80 is arranged transversely with respect to the direction of travel F in the state installed in the motor scooter 10. The actuating element 80 is in particular pretensioned with a spring.

In order to allow the actuating element 80 to be encompassed, the battery housing 21 has an engagement recess 81 in the region of the actuating element 80, namely in the transition region 76 from the front plate 71′ to the cover plate 74′. This engagement recess 81 is designed such that the actuating element 80 can be completely encompassed by the hand.

The battery assembly 70 has a passive cooling in the form of a cooling fin plate 82. This cooling fin plate 82 is formed on the rear plate 72′ of the battery housing 21. A mains socket 83 is also formed on the rear plate 72′. The mains socket 83 is covered in the illustrated views so that the mains socket 83 is not soiled. A mains connector can be inserted into this mains socket 83 so that the battery 90 located in the battery housing 21 can be charged.

The battery housing 21 also has a slide-like guide device 85. The slide-like guide device 85 is formed in the bottom portion 75. The lateral slide jaws 86 and the bearing surfaces 87 can be seen. The slide-like guide device 85 thus consists of two slide jaws 86 and two bearing surfaces 87. It is conceivable for the bearing surfaces 87 to be formed in an upwardly bent manner in the direction of the front plate 71′.

The illustrated slide-like guide device 85 can be pushed onto a rail-like guide device of the motor scooter 10. The rail-like guide device thus forms the counterpart to the slide-like guide device 85. If the support surfaces 87 of the slide-like guide device 85 are bent, the bearing surfaces of the rail-like guide device of the motor scooter 10 are also formed in a bent manner. The surfaces 88 of the bottom section 75 of the battery housing 21 on the front plate serve as stop surfaces. The surfaces 88 regulate the maximum possible degree of displacement of the battery housing 21 on the rail-like guide device of the motor scooter 10.

The battery assembly 70 further includes a combined power/communication connector 95. This combined power/communication connector 95 is formed in the bottom portion 75 of the battery housing 21. In the illustrated embodiment, the combined power/communication connector 95 is located at the end of the slide-like guide device 85 which faces the front plate side or the end facing the front plate 71′. The combined power/communication connector 95 thus serves, on the one hand, for electrically connecting the battery assembly 70 to the motor scooter 10. On the other hand, data of the battery assembly 70 can be transmitted to the motor controller 10. It is possible that information or data such as the battery temperature and/or the charge state of the battery 90 and/or other necessary data regarding the battery 90 or the battery assembly 70 can be sent to the display unit 100.

If the battery assembly 70 is connected to the electric motor scooter 10 and is to be replaced or recharged, a mechanical lock 91 (see FIG. 8c ) can be released by actuating the actuating element 80. At the same time, the circuit formed in the battery housing 21 is interrupted. In the illustrated embodiment, two locking bolts form the mechanical lock 91. By pulling up in the pulling direction Z of the actuating element 80, the illustrated locking bolts are also pulled in the pulling direction Z.

Two locking counterparts of the motor scooter 10 located in the recesses 92 of the battery housing 21 (see FIG. 8c ) are unlocked due to the pulling up of the locking bolts. After this pulling up and unlocking of the mechanical lock 91, the battery housing 21 can be displaced or pushed in the direction of travel F on the rail-like guide device of the motor scooter 10 by means of the slide-like guide device 85. The battery housing 21 is thus detachable from the holder frame 56 in the direction of travel F.

Due to the actuation (e.g., pulling) of the actuating element 80, a contact switch located inside the battery housing is further actuated, which interrupts the circuit of the battery assembly 70. After complete removal of the battery housing 21 from the motor scooter 10 and release of the actuating element 80, the contact switch can be designed in such a way that the circuit is closed again due to the release of the actuating element 80.

Due to the interruption of the current circuit, the power/communication connection, which is formed by the power/communication connector 95 of the battery assembly and a power/communication socket of the motor scooter 10, is de-energized. Accordingly, when the battery housing 21 is displaced, no current flows from the power/communication socket on the rail-like guide device and when the power/communication connector 95 is released correspondingly.

For example, the battery assembly 70 has an emergency stop button 99 which is formed for example on the front plate 71′.

FIG. 9 shows the components located in the battery housing 21 in a partially transparent view. The battery 90 is designed as a battery pack. Furthermore, the cooling fin plate 82 can be seen on the rear plate 72′. Also in the battery housing 21 are a charging unit 96, a battery control unit 97 and a DC-DC converter 98.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   10 Motor scooter -   11 Rear frame part -   12 Front wheel -   12′ Rear wheel -   20 Saddle -   21 Battery housing -   30 Steering device -   56 Holder frame -   70 Battery assembly -   71 Front portion -   71′ Front plate -   72 Rear portion -   72′ Rear plate -   73 Side portion -   73′ Side plate -   74 Cover portion -   74′ Cover plate -   75 Bottom portion -   76 Transition region -   80 Actuating element -   81 Engagement recess -   82 Cooling fin plate -   83 Mains socket -   84 Slide-like guide device -   85 Slide jaw -   86 Bearing surface -   87 Stop surface -   88 Gripping section -   89 Battery -   90 Mechanical lock -   91 Battery housing recess -   92 Combined power/communication connector -   93 Charging unit -   94 Battery control unit -   98 DC-DC converter -   99 Emergency stop button -   100 Display unit -   130 Roller -   135 Extension section -   136 Guide rail -   140 Locking plate -   141 Edge of locking plate -   150 Compartment -   151 Cover -   160 Locking recess -   180 Cross-sectional profile -   185 Loudspeaker -   190 Depression -   210 Guide device of motor scooter -   220 Centring aid -   221 Edge of centring aid -   230 Locking recess -   300 Combined power/communication socket -   310 Shaped locking part -   315 Recess -   F Direction of travel -   Z Pulling direction 

1-19. (canceled)
 20. A battery assembly comprising: a rechargeable battery having a housing; a releasable mechanical lock for connecting the battery housing to a unit which is to be supplied with electrical power; a circuit formed in the battery housing; and an actuating element constructed and arranged to be at least one of folded, pivoted, and telescopically pulled out of the battery housing.
 21. The battery assembly of claim 20, wherein the actuating element includes at least one of a lever and handle.
 22. The battery assembly of claim 20, wherein the battery housing comprises: a front portion, a rear portion, two side portions connecting the front and rear portions, a cover portion, and a bottom portion, and a sliding guide device constructed and arranged to be pushed or slid onto a rail guide device of the unit to be supplied with electrical power.
 23. The battery assembly of claim 22, wherein the sliding guide device is formed in the bottom portion of the battery housing.
 24. The battery assembly of claim 20, wherein the battery housing has an engagement recess adjacent the actuating element, and wherein the engagement recess is arranged such that the actuating element can be grasped by one hand.
 25. The battery assembly of claim 20, further comprising a cooling system, wherein the cooling system is at least one of a passive cooling system including at least one of an arrangement of cooling ribs and an air inlet opening, and an active cooling system including a ventilation wheel.
 26. The battery assembly of claim 20, further comprising a combined power/communication connector.
 27. The battery assembly of claim 22, further comprising a mechanical lock formed in the bottom portion of the battery housing.
 28. The battery assembly of claim 27, wherein the mechanical lock is actuatable by a locking actuating element arranged in the battery housing.
 29. The battery assembly of claim 20, further comprising a roller arranged on the battery housing such that the battery assembly, when in a state separated from the unit to be supplied with electrical power, is capable of being rolled by means of the actuating element.
 30. The battery assembly of claim 20, further comprising at least one of a mains socket for charging the battery, a Bluetooth interface, and a USB socket.
 31. The battery assembly of claim 22, further comprising a compartment, in formed in the battery housing on the rear-portion side.
 32. The battery assembly of claim 22, further comprising a saddle formed on the battery housing on the cover-portion side.
 33. The battery assembly of claim 32, wherein the saddle has a V-shaped and/or U-shaped cross-sectional profile.
 34. The battery assembly of claim 20, further comprising at least one loudspeaker installed in the battery housing, wherein a section of the battery housing is constructed and arranged as a resonance surface.
 35. An electrically drivable motor vehicle comprising the battery assembly of claim
 20. 36. The electrically drivable motor vehicle of claim 35, wherein the battery assembly is releasably attached to a rear frame part of the motor vehicle.
 37. The electrically drivable motor vehicle of claim 35, further comprising a rail guide device, wherein, after releasing a mechanical lock of the battery assembly, the battery assembly is configured to be pushed with the aid of a sliding guide device of the battery assembly from the rail guide device of the motor vehicle along a direction away from direction of travel of the motor vehicle.
 38. The electrically drivable motor vehicle of claim 37, further comprising a locking bracket that cooperates with the mechanical lock of the battery assembly. 